Air compressor tank size?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2025
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Air compressor tank size?
Anyone install an air compressor? I want this for a bit more than airing up tires. Since I am a body shop guy, I have many air tools. I know you can't run much on these truck units but occasionally I would like to run an air die grinder or blow gun for cleaning when I'm away from the shop. Only short bursts so would a 5 gallon tank be enough? I'm also looking at the highest output compressor, 175 psi. I'm not sure how reliable they are.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,769
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From: Phoenix, AZ
I've had a Viair system on my last couple trucks. One a F250, the other a F150. I have a Viair 400 with a 5 gallon tank. I ran a switched train horn off it and an air line and a coupler out the back under the bumper for airing tires, air tools, etc..
The 400 struggles with continuous air tools, short busts, sure. I'm sure there are better duty cycle and max psi on board comporessors out there now, but a 5 gallon tank is a minumum IMO.
I fabricated all the brackets to hold the compresssor, tank, etc. All the components on the F250 tucked up nicely between the frame and the door sill. Good height and width. The F150 was tighter and had to go to a smaller tank to fit.
The 400 struggles with continuous air tools, short busts, sure. I'm sure there are better duty cycle and max psi on board comporessors out there now, but a 5 gallon tank is a minumum IMO.
I fabricated all the brackets to hold the compresssor, tank, etc. All the components on the F250 tucked up nicely between the frame and the door sill. Good height and width. The F150 was tighter and had to go to a smaller tank to fit.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,862
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From: SoCal/Wyoming
You can get by with a blow gun but a die grinder would be difficult. A five gallon tank will supply 1-2 cfm while a die grinder (depending on size) may require somewhere between 3-12 cfm to run properly. I had a small setup on my last truck and tested out some various air tools and they were about useless. You may have better luck leaving the big compressor in the shop and carrying a battery operated grinder in the truck if you need one.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2025
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You can get by with a blow gun but a die grinder would be difficult. A five gallon tank will supply 1-2 cfm while a die grinder (depending on size) may require somewhere between 3-12 cfm to run properly. I had a small setup on my last truck and tested out some various air tools and they were about useless. You may have better luck leaving the big compressor in the shop and carrying a battery operated grinder in the truck if you need one.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2025
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[QUOTE=
I fabricated all the brackets to hold the compresssor, tank, etc. All the components on the F250 tucked up nicely between the frame and the door sill. Good height and width. The F150 was tighter and had to go to a smaller tank to fit.[/QUOTE] Good to know, thanks
I fabricated all the brackets to hold the compresssor, tank, etc. All the components on the F250 tucked up nicely between the frame and the door sill. Good height and width. The F150 was tighter and had to go to a smaller tank to fit.[/QUOTE] Good to know, thanks
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 84
Likes: 39
This is one of those areas where you likely have to pay to play. There are relatively small compressors available that will provide the cfm you're looking for:
https://www.oasismfg.com/
The group above provides the military air compressors and is well known in the train horn community. They are proven, reliable and spendy. They do 8cfm @ 100psi and are 5hp.
https://www.oasismfg.com/
The group above provides the military air compressors and is well known in the train horn community. They are proven, reliable and spendy. They do 8cfm @ 100psi and are 5hp.
Last edited by Turniipp; Apr 1, 2026 at 04:56 PM.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 736
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From: SE Vermont, South Jersey
We have 480 gallons (plus hundreds of feet of 1/2 to 1-1/4" piping) in our shop with (2) 7.5 HP rotary screws. Sometimes get low running (2) Dynabrade sanders. I thoink you would be better off with cordless (electric/battery) units.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 64
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From: Az
I have a drawer with 14 air tools that haven't been touched in years. The industry had switched to battery power for the most part. If I have something super tight I will reach for my 1/2air impact but my big electric impact is rated at 450 ftlbs.
this should be good for the smaller tank so you don't worry about air tools draining it unless you have to carry air tools for some reason.
this should be good for the smaller tank so you don't worry about air tools draining it unless you have to carry air tools for some reason.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 186
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From: Georgia
Last time I used a decent mobile air compressor rig was before electric tools became worth a ****. It was a Ingersoll-Rand 30 175 psi gallon horizontal gas compressor. It was heavy as **** and mounted atop a utility body. Did a very decent job, no complaints, we used everything from 3/4" and 1" impacts to die grinders to air sanders and more.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2024
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From: SE Vermont, South Jersey
I haven't had to use it (yet), but I inherited a 1" impact when we bought a house with on-premise large truck service garage (along with two 4' wide by 5' tall Mac tool chests packed full of mostly Mac tools). They guy's love was Autocars.
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